Wrightsville Beach to offer free family movies

Monday

May 31, 2010 at 4:38 PM

Move over, Carolina Beach. After rewriting the script a bit, Wrightsville Beach is going ahead with a plan to start screening free family movies this summer. The series is tentatively set to run for six weeks, starting the first Wednesday in July from 8:15 to 10 p.m.

By Patricia E. MatsonCitydesk@StarNewsOnline.com

Move over, Carolina Beach. After rewriting the script a bit, Wrightsville Beach is going ahead with a plan to start screening free family movies this summer. The series is tentatively set to run for six weeks, starting the first Wednesday in July from 8:15 to 10 p.m.Carolina Beach has been showing movies on an outdoor screen at Lake Park since 2005.John Andrews presented the Wrightsville Beach Merchants Association's plan to the board of aldermen on Thursday. He said the movie program, set at the park, would provide family fun and bring residents and visitors together, and hopefully encourage more families to stay and shop there.He said costs had been estimated at about $7,600, assuming an average of 250 participants, with WBMA providing logistical and cleanup support. So far, five organizations have committed to $1,500 sponsorships, and one is committed to donate $500.The WBMA proposal was for the movie nights to be on Thursdays, starting on June 17 and skipping the Thursdays when the WECT Sounds of Summer Concert Series will be held. Objections swiftly arose.Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor Katie Ryan said the four Sounds of Summer concerts all have rain dates set for the following Thursdays, which would mean two events being scheduled on the same date.Town Manager Bob Simpson said the idea sounded “conceptually great,” but since the series would be town-sponsored, the town would have to become the “pass-through agency” in charge of scheduling, receiving money and setting up contracts with vendors. He said the impact on staff had not been factored in, and it would be difficult to arrange the budgetary pass-through in time.Mayor David Cignotti said he wasn't comfortable with how fast the idea was moving, and asked about traffic and staffing.Police Chief John Carey said he didn't foresee any big problems.Alderman Bill Sisson said parents complain there's nothing for kids to do at the beach, and “this is a step in the right direction.”The board decided to hold the movies on Wednesdays, starting in July after the new fiscal year begins. The lineup has not been set; Andrews said there might be a contest for Wrightsville Beach students to pick the films.

Region desk: 343-2389On Twitter.com: @StarNewsOnline

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